Senior Program Associate (Protection) - 2 positions

Position details

• Vacancy type: Call for Applications
• Recruiting type: General Service
• Contract type: Special Short term ungraded (Up to 9 months)
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
• Application deadline: 2026-08-27T03:59:00+00:00

Context

Position Title: Senior Program Associate (Protection) - 2 positions

Duty Station City: Caracas
Duty Station Country: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Grade: UG
Contract Type: Special Short-Term
Recruiting Type: General Service
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: until 31 december 2026 (renewable)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), UN Volunteers with at least twelve (12) months of continuous service in IOM, and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Protection Officer, and in close coordination with relevant programme units, the Regional Office and Headquarters as appropriate, the Senior Programme Associate (Protection) will support the overall coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of IOM Venezuela’s protection and humanitarian programming. 

Following the devastating earthquakes of 24 June 2026 that affected Caracas (Capital District), La Guaira, Miranda and surrounding states, causing widespread infrastructure damage, population displacement and the declaration of a state of emergency, IOM Venezuela is implementing a multisectoral humanitarian response to ensure timely access to life-saving assistance. Within this framework, the Protection Unit delivers interventions aimed at preventing, mitigating and responding to protection risks affecting displaced and earthquake-affected populations, with particular attention to women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Activities include community-based protection, protection mainstreaming, information and awareness campaigns, accountability to affected populations, prevention of gender-based violence, child protection, family reunification support and access to specialized services through established referral pathways. 

The Senior Programme Associate will provide operational, programmatic and administrative oversight to the implementation of protection activities and related projects, ensuring compliance with IOM regulations, donor requirements and humanitarian standards. The incumbent will supervise programme support personnel and field teams, coordinate work planning and activity implementation, monitor budgets and workplans, support donor reporting processes, strengthen partnerships with implementing partners and authorities, and contribute to quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation, information management and resource mobilization efforts. The incumbent will promote the integration of protection principles, AAP, PSEA, safeguarding, disability inclusion and data protection across programme activities and ensure timely delivery of project results.

Responsibilities

1. Coordinate and monitor the implementation of protection projects and activities, ensuring that targets, timelines, budgets and quality standards are achieved.

2. Support the development, revision and monitoring of project workplans, procurement plans, spending plans and implementation schedules.

3. Supervise and provide guidance to Protection Associates, programme support staff, consultants and field teams, ensuring effective performance and quality delivery.

4. Monitor programme expenditures and support budget tracking, financial forecasting and expenditure verification in coordination with Resource Management staff.

5. Support the preparation of donor reports, project updates, situation reports, concept notes, project proposals and other programme documentation.

6. Coordinate the collection, consolidation and analysis of programme data, indicators, beneficiary information and activity results for monitoring and reporting purposes.

7. Ensure that programme activities comply with IOM policies, donor regulations, protection principles, AAP, PSEA, safeguarding and data protection standards.

8. Liaise with implementing partners, community structures, local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to facilitate effective programme implementation and coordination.

9. Contribute to project design, needs assessments, response planning and development of new programme initiatives.

10. Support the development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) activities, including field monitoring and quality assurance exercises.

11. Review and validate implementing partner reports, activity documentation and supporting evidence to ensure compliance and accuracy.

12. Identify operational challenges, implementation risks and bottlenecks and propose corrective actions to improve programme performance.

13. Support capacity-building initiatives for staff, partners and community actors on protection programming, protection mainstreaming, AAP, PSEA, disability inclusion and related topics.

14. Participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, technical working groups and humanitarian forums as required.

15. Prepare briefing materials, presentations and analytical summaries for management, donors and coordination meetings.

16. Assist with other tasks, as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, political sciences, social sciences, gender studies, law, human rights, public administration, project management or other relevant field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,

• High school diploma with seven years of experience. 

• Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields is an added advantage.

   

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, protection, migration, recovery or development programming.

• Experience supporting general protection, community-based protection and MHPSS child protection (CP), and gender-based violence (GBV) activities, including direct work with beneficiaries.

• Experience coordinating multi-sectoral projects funded by institutional donors.

• Experience supporting programme management, project monitoring, reporting, budgeting and implementation oversight.

• Experience supervising staff, consultants, volunteers or field teams.

• Experience coordinating with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, community organizations and implementing partners.

• Experience preparing donor reports, workplans, budgets and project proposals.

• Demonstrated experience in information management, data analysis and results-based management.

• Experience supporting humanitarian responses, emergency operations or post-crisis recovery programmes is highly desirable.

• Knowledge of protection principles, protection mainstreaming, GBV risk mitigation, child protection, AAP, PSEA, disability inclusion and safeguarding is desirable.

• Experience working with IOM, the UN system or international organizations is an advantage.

• Good experience working with implementing partners (IPs).

• Understanding key issues related to data protection and knowledge of safe, confidential and ethical data collection and handling. 

• Knowledge of the humanitarian and development context in Venezuela, particularly as it relates to protection challenges. 

   

Skills

• Strong programme and project management skills.

• Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills.

• Excellent analytical, reporting and problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and support multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Excellent drafting and communication skills in English and Spanish.

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

• Experience using information management and monitoring systems.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet competing deadlines in emergency environments.

• Strong understanding of donor compliance and results-based management principles.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English and Spanish are mandatory

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators (applicable only if with direct reports)

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies